A draw was all Tasmania needed for their third Sheffield Shield triumph, and a draw was what they celebrated after a relatively uneventful final day at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

The title-winning moment came not with a wicket, but a solid front-foot defensive stroke from Hartley. But the celebrations were no less emotive or spontaneous. Twenty years after his debut for Tasmania, Ricky Ponting finally added a Sheffield Shield title to his long list of career achievements.

Queensland took the final three wickets of Tasmania's second innings within the first seven overs of the morning. James Faulkner, who batted so superbly yesterday, fell 11 runs short of his maiden first-class century when he gloved an attempted hook off Michael Neser through to keeper Chris Hartley. Faulkner's disappointment of missing a century would have been tempered by his well-deserved Man-of-the-Match award.

Luke Butterworth holed out to deep square leg five balls later. Cameron Gannon bounced out Ben Hilfenhaus in the next over. The last four Tasmanian wickets fell to short balls on a surface seemingly lacking life and bounce. It left Queensland needing 446 from 87 overs for the unlikeliest of victories.

The Bulls never made any attempt to chase the set target. The run-rate scarcely exceeded two-per-over throughout the day.

Both Bulls openers, Luke Pomersbach and Greg Moller, like their Tasmananian counterparts yesterday, dragged balls onto their stumps attempting horizontal bat strokes.
Peter Forrest became Evan Gulbis' fifth victim of the match when he played the wrong line and lost his off stump.

Nathan Reardon and Joe Burns put together a 63-run stand from 187 deliveries before Luke Butterworth nipped one through the gate to end Burns' season on the stroke of tea.
Reardon made his way to just his third first-class fifty before a searing yorker from Ben Hilfenhaus struck him on the toe in front of off stump.

The game looked destined for a draw with Hartley and James Hopes defending stoutly. But when Butterworth trapped the Bulls skipper with 10 overs remaining there was a possibility of Tasmania claiming an outright win. But Hartley and Neser ensured that result never eventuated.

Great work Punter. So glad to see him get a Shield title on his looonng list of accomplishments.

Dummy4
on March 27, 2013, 11:16 GMT

@ Ken McCarron .... bloody excellent point and I appreciate your rebuttal .... I don't think Lyon or Bird ever played for NSW and Watson was a Queensland Boy from Ipswich so your definition of NSWman is somewhat contradictory.

But the thing is, I am referring to current state teams.

We are not playing State of Origin, if we were Queensland would still find a way to win.

@__PK on (March 26, 2013, 21:00 GMT) - well if that is so, what do you think the standard of the Shield final would of been like if it was held Calcutta or Mumbai?
@Ken McCarron - good work except that Hauritz really is a QLDer.
@Jo Langford - so many logic faults - I am struggling to find where to begin; 1. Bird was injured, but even a theoretical fantasy land, he was on the tour to India so therefor should be bowling to Wade! On top of that, by rights, full strength Shield teams should always be stronger than the National side as there would be nobody left to play for the National team. Apart from Burns, name a QLD batsmen better than anybody on the tour of India? I would back Starc/Pattinson/Siddle & Lyon in Oz conditions (has to be in Oz because the Fantasy you live in can't accurately translate what State players like Faulkner would of done in India) over "...Harris, Bird, Hilfenhaus and Hauritz..." even though Bird should be on the bench for the National team!

Dummy4
on March 27, 2013, 2:58 GMT

Joseph Langford, you are kidding... Well done to Tasmania but there are a few things worth noting. Australia could field at least two teams of current and former NSW players. Here's an Aussie team of purely NSW origin: Silk, Cowan, Hughes, Clarke, Khawaja. Smith, Haddin, Hauritz, Bird, Starc and Cummins. Here's the second side with some imports: Rogers (born In NSW and his dad played for NSW), Watson, Forrest, Christian, Henriques, Hastings, Neville, Lyon, Hazlewood, Bollinger and Copeland.

Dummy4
on March 27, 2013, 1:41 GMT

@ Chris P .... you have got to be kidding. I would put a full strength Queensland or Tasmanian Team up against the current Australian Team any time, knowing full well that they would be more competitive than Australia was against India. In saying that, imagine a combined TAS/QLD Team against the current Australian Team. Who would you leave out!!!

You can have Wade keeping to Maxwell, Siddle and Maxwell. I'll have Hartley keeping to Harris, Bird, Hilfenhaus and Hauritz. On the bench I have Butterworth, Hopes, Faulkner and Paine. Who have you got?!?!?

Now do I really need to do the batting line up?? My team is AWESOME!!!

Yep!!! 3-Test Match Trail Series in November 2013.

And why exactly was Khawaja taken .... so he couldn't play the last half of the Sheffield Shield season?? so he couldn't play the Sheffield Shield Final?? because he certainly wasn't taken to India to play cricket!!!

But no matter what ..... well done Tasmania.

Sean
on March 26, 2013, 23:57 GMT

@Chris_P Good thing it's not like Tasmania had any players out, Like Cowan, Bird & Doherty out for the final.
Or Laughlin, Bailey, Hilfenhaus, Faulkner, Ponting all doing stints with the national side during the Summer.

Paul
on March 26, 2013, 23:54 GMT

Chris Hartley and Ben Cutting wouldn't disgrace themselves in the current Test side.
Might be a novelty having a wicketkeeper that can actually keep properly.

Cutting averaged 38 with the bat, and was taking wickets at 18.
Khawaja only averaged 39.

I think Hartley is better than Paine, but both are better than Wade.

Andrew
on March 26, 2013, 23:50 GMT

@Chris_P on (March 26, 2013, 19:08 GMT) - not only that, the nearly pointless England ODI A-team tour (that 7nil one!), also coincided with Shield fixtures. Teams are only ever near full strength in Oct & Nov.
== == ==
Well done Tassie, the 1st innings probably won't make anyones highlight reel, but that type of ticker is required at Test level, (only have to look at the 4th Test in India & 3rd Test in NZ to see what a bit of spine can achieve). Brilliant Harris VERY nearly pulled a win out of the hat for QLD.
@Mitty2 - - I agree re: Burns & Doolan. Burns was a bit unlucky in the 1st innings - that "catch" Paine took was dubious to say the least. IMO - in an International match - the Video Umpire would of knocked that back. Silk's innings was pleasing, but he needs to back it up with another strong Shield season. I wouldn't select him for another 12mths - unless of course, by November he has played anothe 4 or 5 Shield games & maintained or bettered his current ave!

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 22:49 GMT

On that rational @Chris_P, if Tassie had Bird and Cowen and Doherty to add to their stocks I reckon they would have beaten any team. Both Cowen and Cossie have mentioned many times that culture in Tas cricket is much stronger that their respective states and this has been a contributing factor in their success. QLD looked to have created a wonderful culture under Lehman and Hopes too, otherwise, they would not keep competing with the payers they have. Not always about test stars.

Nathan
on March 27, 2013, 21:43 GMT

Great work Punter. So glad to see him get a Shield title on his looonng list of accomplishments.

Dummy4
on March 27, 2013, 11:16 GMT

@ Ken McCarron .... bloody excellent point and I appreciate your rebuttal .... I don't think Lyon or Bird ever played for NSW and Watson was a Queensland Boy from Ipswich so your definition of NSWman is somewhat contradictory.

But the thing is, I am referring to current state teams.

We are not playing State of Origin, if we were Queensland would still find a way to win.

@__PK on (March 26, 2013, 21:00 GMT) - well if that is so, what do you think the standard of the Shield final would of been like if it was held Calcutta or Mumbai?
@Ken McCarron - good work except that Hauritz really is a QLDer.
@Jo Langford - so many logic faults - I am struggling to find where to begin; 1. Bird was injured, but even a theoretical fantasy land, he was on the tour to India so therefor should be bowling to Wade! On top of that, by rights, full strength Shield teams should always be stronger than the National side as there would be nobody left to play for the National team. Apart from Burns, name a QLD batsmen better than anybody on the tour of India? I would back Starc/Pattinson/Siddle & Lyon in Oz conditions (has to be in Oz because the Fantasy you live in can't accurately translate what State players like Faulkner would of done in India) over "...Harris, Bird, Hilfenhaus and Hauritz..." even though Bird should be on the bench for the National team!

Dummy4
on March 27, 2013, 2:58 GMT

Joseph Langford, you are kidding... Well done to Tasmania but there are a few things worth noting. Australia could field at least two teams of current and former NSW players. Here's an Aussie team of purely NSW origin: Silk, Cowan, Hughes, Clarke, Khawaja. Smith, Haddin, Hauritz, Bird, Starc and Cummins. Here's the second side with some imports: Rogers (born In NSW and his dad played for NSW), Watson, Forrest, Christian, Henriques, Hastings, Neville, Lyon, Hazlewood, Bollinger and Copeland.

Dummy4
on March 27, 2013, 1:41 GMT

@ Chris P .... you have got to be kidding. I would put a full strength Queensland or Tasmanian Team up against the current Australian Team any time, knowing full well that they would be more competitive than Australia was against India. In saying that, imagine a combined TAS/QLD Team against the current Australian Team. Who would you leave out!!!

You can have Wade keeping to Maxwell, Siddle and Maxwell. I'll have Hartley keeping to Harris, Bird, Hilfenhaus and Hauritz. On the bench I have Butterworth, Hopes, Faulkner and Paine. Who have you got?!?!?

Now do I really need to do the batting line up?? My team is AWESOME!!!

Yep!!! 3-Test Match Trail Series in November 2013.

And why exactly was Khawaja taken .... so he couldn't play the last half of the Sheffield Shield season?? so he couldn't play the Sheffield Shield Final?? because he certainly wasn't taken to India to play cricket!!!

But no matter what ..... well done Tasmania.

Sean
on March 26, 2013, 23:57 GMT

@Chris_P Good thing it's not like Tasmania had any players out, Like Cowan, Bird & Doherty out for the final.
Or Laughlin, Bailey, Hilfenhaus, Faulkner, Ponting all doing stints with the national side during the Summer.

Paul
on March 26, 2013, 23:54 GMT

Chris Hartley and Ben Cutting wouldn't disgrace themselves in the current Test side.
Might be a novelty having a wicketkeeper that can actually keep properly.

Cutting averaged 38 with the bat, and was taking wickets at 18.
Khawaja only averaged 39.

I think Hartley is better than Paine, but both are better than Wade.

Andrew
on March 26, 2013, 23:50 GMT

@Chris_P on (March 26, 2013, 19:08 GMT) - not only that, the nearly pointless England ODI A-team tour (that 7nil one!), also coincided with Shield fixtures. Teams are only ever near full strength in Oct & Nov.
== == ==
Well done Tassie, the 1st innings probably won't make anyones highlight reel, but that type of ticker is required at Test level, (only have to look at the 4th Test in India & 3rd Test in NZ to see what a bit of spine can achieve). Brilliant Harris VERY nearly pulled a win out of the hat for QLD.
@Mitty2 - - I agree re: Burns & Doolan. Burns was a bit unlucky in the 1st innings - that "catch" Paine took was dubious to say the least. IMO - in an International match - the Video Umpire would of knocked that back. Silk's innings was pleasing, but he needs to back it up with another strong Shield season. I wouldn't select him for another 12mths - unless of course, by November he has played anothe 4 or 5 Shield games & maintained or bettered his current ave!

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 22:49 GMT

On that rational @Chris_P, if Tassie had Bird and Cowen and Doherty to add to their stocks I reckon they would have beaten any team. Both Cowen and Cossie have mentioned many times that culture in Tas cricket is much stronger that their respective states and this has been a contributing factor in their success. QLD looked to have created a wonderful culture under Lehman and Hopes too, otherwise, they would not keep competing with the payers they have. Not always about test stars.

Paul
on March 26, 2013, 21:00 GMT

Chris_P, thanks for the chuckle. Have you SEEN how well these test players are going right now? And they never make and impact when they return, anyway. blink182alex, I agree. I was following on the espncricinfo live coverage and was desperately trying to get some idea of why the Bulls were scoring more slowly than at any other stage of the game. I thought maybe Hopes was trying to make a statement about Tassie's attempt to kill the game off on day 1.

Peter
on March 26, 2013, 19:08 GMT

@Chris_Howard. the answer is simple my friend, if the other states had their test players available, Qld & Tasmania most likely wouldn't have been playing. Victoria had Patto, Siddle & Wade, NSW had Watson, Starc, Smith, Clarke, Henriques, Warner either selected in the touring team or playing tests. Not too shabby of a team if all available, wouldn't you agree? Let's not forget these sides just squeezed into the final ahead of NSW & WA. Tasmania with Doolan, might have had a case for a test player, but Qld, although some potential, no one really is standing up demanding selection ahead of a average current side, is there?

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 14:26 GMT

jordan silk, joe burns, alex doolan, usman khawaja and phil hughes are the best young batsmen in australia at the moment. khawaja, hughes and burns
deserve to play in the ashes series. silk and doolan need to play one more season of domestic cricket.

Anupam
on March 26, 2013, 14:08 GMT

PuP's Australia is struggling for a draw forget win. And Punter's Tasmania is with the shield. I think Punter has the habit & its like his daily routine to hold a CUP. Hats off Legend Punter.

Alex
on March 26, 2013, 13:46 GMT

What was the point of Qld just blocking it for a day, they might of well tried to go for the win, they would of needed about 5 an over.

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 12:26 GMT

Very glad to see Ponting win a Shield after so long; reminds me of Border winning in 95 after waiting so long.

Surprising to hear so many people clamour for Queenslanders and Tasmanians to flood the national team; if the last 20 yrs have been any indication Shield titles are won by teams least inconvenienced by losing players to national duty... Vic's and QLDs reign in the 00s comes to mind... Imagine if NSW had Clarke, Watson, Starc and Warner every week!

Faulkner may get a gig in the Ashes, but if everyone is fit I don't see him making it; Patto, Starc, Harris (who surely proved his fitness by bowling 54 overs), Siddle & Bird are ahead him, plus Hilf would probably be preferred due to his experience in Eng. (BTW I've left Cummins out because who knows what is happening with the kids body).

And finally; Tanstell87: So the series win in 2004 doesn't count? Granted Punter only played in the 4th Test, but that's still being part of a test series win.

Roo
on March 26, 2013, 11:47 GMT

Fantastic match - really the top 2 teams of the last 10 years...

Sad to see Tim Coyle leaving - 8 years as Tas coach - 8 domestic finals & 5 championships in the Tassie wardrobe... Hope the boys do well after a number of recent retirements from the best performing team in recent years across the formats...

Qld in 15 of the last 20 Shield finals have again out-performed the southerners in what is becoming an embarrassing statistic - well done boys & hopefully with a full team next year we can return what is becoming a delightful finals series... A superb final that should be part of a singular series - without the 2 mth break which has become meaningless to all cricket followers...

damien
on March 26, 2013, 11:19 GMT

Congrats to Punter on crowning his stellar career with a shield victory, he deserves it. Genuine legend of the game. As for Aussie selection I would definetly have Fawkner on the plane to England he is an impressive cricketer. Although Henriques showed glimpses in India I said before they left that Fawkner should have gone in his place. As for Cosgrove for all his talent (considerable) he is just not fit enough to play for Australia they simply wont pick him while he is overweight, right or wrong that is a fact.

Tanmay
on March 26, 2013, 11:05 GMT

@ Luke Hantzis - Punter could not be part of test series win in India anyways congrats to him & looking forward to his 2nd innings in IPL.

Hamish
on March 26, 2013, 10:59 GMT

Can only imagine the quality of this match if tas had bird and QLD had cutting and mcdermott, would've added spice to an otherwise dour pitch and dour match.

Despite the relatively identical stats, i'd pick faulkner over butterworth because faulkner bowls at just just under 135 and still bowls accurately with swing, and the available variation of going around the wicket. I have to say though, they are both incredibly smart bowlers.

I really wanted burns to score a century as he is the only selectable young batsmen in the shield. Doolan and burns were my back ups to khawaja and hughes, but doolan's form has waned significantly. Was still hoping a decent score from one of the other though.... Thoughts on silk as an early test selection? Too young?

But the best news of this match, ponting's first shield final win. Well done punter, what haven't you achieved? A true great.

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 10:39 GMT

Faulkner, Cosgrove and Harris have to be knocking on the door of the test squad at the moment. Even Silk and he's played 3 matches!

Chris
on March 26, 2013, 10:22 GMT

Well done, Punter.

Tas vs Qld two years running? And how many from either side are in the Test team?

Andrew
on March 26, 2013, 10:13 GMT

Good to see some young cricketers that seem to have some mongrel in them. Faulkner and Silk both produced when it was needed.

Top efforts by Butterworth, Paine and Harris as well.

Australia could do worse then to stick them all on the plane to England.

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 10:00 GMT

Is there anything Punter hasn't achieved on the cricket field? Congrats, Punter!

Greg
on March 26, 2013, 9:29 GMT

Disappointed for the Qld boys but a great season under Boof. Really pleased for Ricky Ponting, well deserved title to add to his achievements.

Peter
on March 26, 2013, 9:15 GMT

Great stuff Punter, truly deserved after all these years! Boof, you have to be kidding knocking this pitch surely? Can't you recall Queensland's efforts in the 2005/06 final where they got 6/900!! Karma, always come round, doesn't it?

wayne
on March 26, 2013, 8:45 GMT

I don't get what Queensland achieved by playing for the draw? Drawing still lost them the Shield, so why not give it a damn good go anyway? Maybe other people see it differently, but I would much rather give it my all and lose, than play it safe and "secure" a draw. On another note: two Shield finals in a row, Tas v Qld, and some fine performances...wonder if we've got ourselves a nice little rivalry brewing?

No featured comments at the moment.

wayne
on March 26, 2013, 8:45 GMT

I don't get what Queensland achieved by playing for the draw? Drawing still lost them the Shield, so why not give it a damn good go anyway? Maybe other people see it differently, but I would much rather give it my all and lose, than play it safe and "secure" a draw. On another note: two Shield finals in a row, Tas v Qld, and some fine performances...wonder if we've got ourselves a nice little rivalry brewing?

Peter
on March 26, 2013, 9:15 GMT

Great stuff Punter, truly deserved after all these years! Boof, you have to be kidding knocking this pitch surely? Can't you recall Queensland's efforts in the 2005/06 final where they got 6/900!! Karma, always come round, doesn't it?

Greg
on March 26, 2013, 9:29 GMT

Disappointed for the Qld boys but a great season under Boof. Really pleased for Ricky Ponting, well deserved title to add to his achievements.

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 10:00 GMT

Is there anything Punter hasn't achieved on the cricket field? Congrats, Punter!

Andrew
on March 26, 2013, 10:13 GMT

Good to see some young cricketers that seem to have some mongrel in them. Faulkner and Silk both produced when it was needed.

Top efforts by Butterworth, Paine and Harris as well.

Australia could do worse then to stick them all on the plane to England.

Chris
on March 26, 2013, 10:22 GMT

Well done, Punter.

Tas vs Qld two years running? And how many from either side are in the Test team?

Dummy4
on March 26, 2013, 10:39 GMT

Faulkner, Cosgrove and Harris have to be knocking on the door of the test squad at the moment. Even Silk and he's played 3 matches!

Hamish
on March 26, 2013, 10:59 GMT

Can only imagine the quality of this match if tas had bird and QLD had cutting and mcdermott, would've added spice to an otherwise dour pitch and dour match.

Despite the relatively identical stats, i'd pick faulkner over butterworth because faulkner bowls at just just under 135 and still bowls accurately with swing, and the available variation of going around the wicket. I have to say though, they are both incredibly smart bowlers.

I really wanted burns to score a century as he is the only selectable young batsmen in the shield. Doolan and burns were my back ups to khawaja and hughes, but doolan's form has waned significantly. Was still hoping a decent score from one of the other though.... Thoughts on silk as an early test selection? Too young?

But the best news of this match, ponting's first shield final win. Well done punter, what haven't you achieved? A true great.

Tanmay
on March 26, 2013, 11:05 GMT

@ Luke Hantzis - Punter could not be part of test series win in India anyways congrats to him & looking forward to his 2nd innings in IPL.

damien
on March 26, 2013, 11:19 GMT

Congrats to Punter on crowning his stellar career with a shield victory, he deserves it. Genuine legend of the game. As for Aussie selection I would definetly have Fawkner on the plane to England he is an impressive cricketer. Although Henriques showed glimpses in India I said before they left that Fawkner should have gone in his place. As for Cosgrove for all his talent (considerable) he is just not fit enough to play for Australia they simply wont pick him while he is overweight, right or wrong that is a fact.

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